CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) is a lifesaving technique used in situations such as a cardiac arrest or near-drowning. The American Heart Association recommends CPR to be initiated with fast and hard chest compressions. This CPR recommendation is for both first responders and untrained bystanders.
Perhaps you are afraid of CPR or may not know how to perform CPR properly. The Good news is that online first aid and CPR training courses are easily accessible. Training in first aid is free and available online.

Advice from the American Heart Association

• If you are not trained– Provide hands-only CPR if you aren’t certified in CPR or concerned about giving rescue breaths. This means that you will continue to give chest compressions for between 100 and 120 minutes until paramedics arrive. Rescue breathing is not something you should do.
• If you are trained and certified, – You’re confident and well-trained. Check to make sure there is a pulse. Start chest compressions if there is no pulse or breathing after 10 seconds. Begin CPR by performing 30 chest compressions, followed by two rescue breaths.
• If you are not trained but confident. Do chest compressions at 100 to 120 per minute.

You can access online first aid from the American Heart Association here,

Quick FAQs About CPR and First Aid Online Classes

What are the various types of first-aid certifications?

• ACLS–Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (or ACLS first aid certification) covers the most recent CPR technique. It is geared towards medical professionals, such as physicians, nurses, and respiratory therapists.
• CPR and Basic First Aid – You can get your certification online.
• NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program Certification) – is for healthcare professionals who deliver babies. You have two options: self-paced online training or in-person classes with an instructor.
• PALS – This acronym stands for Pediatric Advanced Life Saving. It is also for healthcare professionals who deal with pediatric emergencies.

When does a first-aid certificate have to be renewed?

Your first-aid certificate may be valid for different periods of time, depending on what type of qualification you have. A first-aid certificate usually lasts between 2 and 3 years. Take this example:

• ACLS–Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS). It usually takes just one day. The certification should be renewed every two years.
• Basic CPR and First Aid – This basic online training certificate takes approximately an hour. The certificate is valid for three years. Online first aid certification is often available for free. Online first aid certification is often free.
• NRP–This self-paced program has no time limit. This certification is valid for two years.
• PALS – Most PALs certification courses last approximately two days. The status should be renewed every two years.

Take a Refresher Course

How long has it been since your last Emergency First Response Course? 

These are 8 reasons to take a refresher EFR Course:

To refresh your skills – Like all other skills we learn, we become “rusty” if we don’t use them regularly. It is normal to forget details or the order of sequences if you don’t practice them regularly. When you realize you remember nothing from your training, the scene of an accident may not be the best place to be.
Confidence – You probably felt confident about your abilities after completing your EFR training, but your confidence may have diminished. It’s time to get a fresh start. In emergencies, you will be more useful if you are confident in your abilities as both a caregiver and/or someone who can manage other responders. Confidence is the ability to think clearly, stop, breathe, and act promptly. EFR training’s cornerstone is the ability to provide urgent care.
Keep up to date – Technologies and techniques change constantly. That means that EFR materials are continually being updated and reviewed to ensure that EFR training remains at the forefront of recent developments. You’ll be able to review the latest developments since your first training or last refreshed.
FUN – The EFR Refresher course is a serious course, but it can be fun. It’s also a lot more enjoyable than the first time. Did you take your first program with a group of friends? For a refresher, why not gather everyone again?
Become an instructor – Being an EFR instructor is great for increasing your income and opening up new opportunities. You will need to have completed an EFR or EFR Refresher course in the last 24 months to be eligible for this position.
Update your CV – The EFR certification is recognized internationally by many employers, so make sure it’s up-to-date on your CV. Employers value this additional, practical qualification. It can help you stand out when interviewing or helping with negotiations for your next salary increase.
Crossing from another training organization – If you have a CPR/First Aid certificate from another agency, you are also eligible for the Emergency First Response Refresher Course. You can also get Automated External Defibrillator training (AED Training) while you refresh your CPR skills.
Lifesaving – Knowing the difference between being able and being delayed in giving care due to uncertainty could make the difference between a temporary and long-term disability. By acting quickly and having the confidence to provide care, you can save a life.
You can take a CPR class online for free, or you can find one in your area. It’s enjoyable to take a first aid class. It can even save someone’s life. Don’t wait until an accident happens to learn online first aid.

CPR Courses & First Aid Training & Certifications

Adult-Child-Infant CPR/AED & First Aid Training
Adult CPR/AED & Standard First Aid Training
Adult-Child-Infant CPR/AED Training
Online Adult, Child, Infant CPR Classes & First Aid Training
Online First Aid Course & Certification
CPR Online Classes
BLC CPR Certification Online
Online First Aid Course & CPR Certification Canada

Check out our other CPR & First Aid Related Articles:
INFANT CPR CERTIFICATION & ITS IMPORTANCE
THE IMPORTANCE OF TAKING BLS TRAINING

CPR is definitely one of those things: You absolutely know how important it is. You may personally know someone that has been helped by CPR. You may even have a pretty good idea how CPR is performed, thanks to television shows like ER or Grey’s Anatomy. However, if you’re like most people, you’ve never actually received formal CPR training.

You might believe it’s not really necessary or think it’s pretty unlikely that you’d find yourself in a situation where you really need to know it. In reality, formal CPR training is something everyone would greatly benefit from getting and from encouraging other people to get, too. Let’s take a closer look at just a few of the major reasons why.

1.     You Might Save Someone You Love

When we picture someone suddenly collapsing and needing CPR, we tend to picture it happening to a stranger out in public somewhere. However, while this certainly does happen, it’s important to realize that, statistically speaking, most cardiac arrests occur in the home – around 85%, to be more specific.

This means that if you do ever find yourself in a situation that finds someone in need of CPR, it’s much more likely to be a loved one or a friend than a total stranger. That said, you shouldn’t just think of CPR training as something that might allow you to save the life of a stranger someday. Think of it as something that will allow you to be a better, more protective parent, spouse, family member, or friend. Who wouldn’t love the feeling of confidence that comes along with knowing you could save a loved one’s life if it came right down to it?

2.     You’ll Be Learning How to Perform CPR Properly

As touched on above, most of us have a pretty good idea of how to perform CPR even just from watching other our favorite characters do it on TV. Also, giving CPR your best shot even if you’ve never been trained is considered much better than doing nothing. It’s a much better idea to seek out formal training instead of just assuming you’d know what to do if you ever had to administer CPR.

Training increases your chances of performing the procedure properly, which in turn increases the recipient’s chances of survival. You’re also much less likely to freeze up and fail to act in the first place. Up to 70% of bystanders that fail to even attempt CPR said it was because they were afraid they might hurt the person or wind up in legal trouble because of their lack of training.

3.     You’ll Instantly Become More Employable

When we think of people that would gain a professional advantage from being able to list CPR certification on their resume, we tend to think of people that are required to know CPR – doctors, nurses, EMTs, and other medical personnel. In reality, almost everyone becomes more employable when they learn CPR.

If you’re a childcare provider, a teacher, or a personal trainer, a CPR certification is an especially big plus. However, literally anyone that works around people in any capacity is automatically a more valuable employee because of CPR training. Certification shows that not only do you consider it important to know how to save lives, but you take what you do seriously enough to formalize your training, knowledge, and abilities.

1. 4.     Receiving Training Is Easy, Convenient, and Affordable

If you’ve hesitated to get formal CPR training in the past because you think it’s expensive or requires a huge time commitment, then you should know that nothing is further from the truth. Even advanced CPR courses or blended learning options that cover additional skills are affordable enough to fit into even modest budgets. The courses themselves aren’t time consuming at all, either. In fact, the average course will only take about 60 minutes of your time.

What’s more, you don’t even have to sign up for an in-person course at a brick and mortar establishment these days. You can receive your official CPR training and certification online when you take your course with an accredited organization like SimpleCPR.

SimpleCPR certifications adhere closely to the strict guidelines and requirements employers expect – the very same guidelines followed by the Red Cross, the American Heart Association, and more. Plus, you have your pick of a variety of different courses to choose from. Stick to basic training, learn how to perform CPR on children, receive professional level first aid training, and much more.

When it comes to valuable, useful skills a person could learn, there are a lot of options out there. However, few of them could be considered more beneficial than basic first aid training. Knowing first aid means you’re more likely to know what to do to help someone in case of emergency. You’ll be better equipped to help yourself if you’re ever hurt, as well.

However, as is the case with any other skill worth learning, it’s well worth your while to seek out formal training when it comes to first aid. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most important reasons why.

1.     You’ll be more prepared as a parent.

If you’re a parent, then you don’t need to be told that you have one of the most difficult, important, and rewarding jobs in the entire world. Your little ones are no doubt everything to you, and you’d naturally be willing to do anything to keep them safe. That said, every parent should be able to say they know what to do in case of emergency.

Formalized first aid courses ensure that you don’t just think you understand how to handle various situations. You know you know how. Your kids’ friends, your spouse, your friends, and any of your guests will also be safer with you around.

2.     You’ll feel incredibly empowered.

Most of us feel like we’d know what to do in case of emergency. However, there’s a certain peace of mind a person attains when they know beyond the shadow of any doubt that they’d be able to handle anything life might send their way. This is especially the case when it comes to protecting the ones they love most.

That said, formalized first aid training is an incredible confidence booster. It’s a wonderful thing to know that you could potentially really help someone or even save someone’s life. It’s also empowering to know that you weren’t like everyone else who simply says they’re going to learn how to do something important. You actually took real steps to better yourself and make good on your word.

3.     You’ll be more valuable as an employee.

If you’re like many people, you don’t necessarily think “job opportunities” when you think of reasons to formally learn first aid. However, it’s worth realizing that first aid training doesn’t just benefit doctors, nurses, paramedics, and other professionals that are required to get it.

Formal first aid training and certification are especially impressive resume additions for those going into fields that find them watching over others in any capacity. For instance, any lifeguard or childcare provider should seriously consider getting first aid training. The same goes for teachers, personal trainers, and coaches. Even retail salespeople, wait staff, and hospitality staff become more attractive as employees when they know first aid – a real advantage in today’s tough job market.

It’s not just about being properly qualified to help someone if they’re hurt, either. The decision to go through with learning such an important skill and pursue a certification shows potential employers that you’re someone dedicated, serious, and reliable – someone that holds themselves to high personal standards.

Getting your first aid certification has never been easier.

Those that would like to be first aid certified but who never get around to pursuing training tend to cite the same reasons. Some are on a tight budget and aren’t sure training is important enough to justify spending the money. Even more are extremely busy, juggling full-time jobs and community commitments with personal or family obligations. It can be hard to imagine fitting one more thing into the mix.

Thankfully, getting first aid certified no longer requires you to attend a traditional class at a brick and mortar establishment. Fully accredited organizations like SimpleCPR make it possible to receive professional level training and legitimate certification by taking affordable courses online instead. Learn basic first aid, CPR, infection control basics, and more.

The average online first aid course only takes between 30 and 60 minutes. (More in-depth options or bundled learning courses may take up to 90.) Plus, you can complete the material and take your certification test at your leisure. Take your test when you’re ready (as many times as you need to pass), print out your certification card, and that’s it! Not only have you completed training that’s in line with the same high standards adhered to by organizations like the American Red Cross, but your new certification qualifies you to seek employment opportunities that may require it.

Acquiring valuable first aid training that helps you protect those that are under your care could be one of the best things you’ve ever decided to do. Explore your options today!